PETITIONS calling on the Scottish Government to hand back a planning decision to East Lothian Council have gathered hundreds of signatures in one week.

The decision by Scottish Ministers to call in an application by Inch Cape Offshore Limited (ICOL) – to build a substation for an offshore wind farm on the former Cockenzie Power Station site – has been criticised by local politicians after it effectively took away the council’s powers to decide the future of the land.

The council recently bought the site from ScottishPower and various options have been put forward for it.

Last month ICOL wrote to residents in Prestonpans, Cockenzie and Port Seton, setting out its commitment to continue working with the local communities.

In a letter signed by Ian Johnson, project manager, it said: “Working in consultation with East Lothian Council and local community representatives in coming weeks, we are confident that we can find solutions to support the progression of both the ICOL proposal and other proposals adjacent to the site.

“We believe there is space for multiple projects and we have been looking into the feasibility of reducing the footprint of the transmission works, as well as ensuring the surrounding land will be available for other use.

“The view of the public and other stakeholders, such as East Lothian Council, will continue to inform the decision-making process.”

East Lothian Labour Party launched a petition – which can be found online at change.org/p/kevin-stewart-msp-hands-off-cockenzie – calling on Planning Minister Kevin Stewart MSP to hand the decision over the proposed substation back to the local authority for a decision.

By last Monday more than 700 people had signed the petition.

At a public meeting in Prestonpans ward councillor Lachlan Bruce (Con) said Mr Stewart had the power to hand the decision back to council planners if he wanted to do so.

The meeting was chaired by Michelle Ballantyne (Con), South Scotland MSP.

A second petition was also launched by Ms Ballantyne.

She said: “Local residents are understandably concerned by the decision to call in this planning application, particularly given the impact it will have on the area.

“I firmly believe this is a choice that should be made in East Lothian, by locally elected councillors who know Cockenzie best.”

Mr Bruce added: “The public meeting was very well attended and I was glad to be able to take part alongside Michelle at the meeting. The high attendance demonstrated the strength of feeling amongst residents in the local area about the decision to remove the right of the local council to decide on this application on behalf of its residents.”

Brian Weddell, chairman of Prestonpans and District Branch Labour Party, said the call-in had thrown the future of the power station site “up in the air”.

He added: “More than 700 people have already shown their opposition to the move by signing our petition. Ministers should admit they have got it wrong and hand the decision back to East Lothian Council.”

Iain Gray (Lab), East Lothian MSP, said: “Ministers need to listen to local people and return the right to make this decision back to local councillors and communities.”